41. Peace Of Mind II
Kim Teho
End of the last school year
Teho lounged on the sofa and watched Kyuri play a game from afar. He used to play more with her, but since starting university, his ambitions demanded most of his time and kept him from entertaining his sister. The girl was viciously pressing buttons on her Xbox controller to kill more of the enemy soldiers. Kyuri's loose brown pants, together with one of Teho's old shirts softened his heart to the scene. He put the time into braiding two fishtail braids for her so she could see better.
He sipped fresh juice their mum had made just for him and observed his background, taking in the atmosphere. It made him more relaxed to be at home and not do anything. He enjoyed feeling like a guest—the privilege of no responsibilities.
Kyuri yelled in the background as she headshotted another soldier and her teammates congratulated her. All the sounds were in her headphones and made it weird to listen to for anyone else. Homey ambient noises mixed with her out-of-context shouting. Hearing her cursing randomly made Teho smirk in satisfaction.
Home, sweet home.
...
After breakfast, Rupi brought a map of the mountain region with her.
"So you want to be a man, huh?" she teased him.
"Pff, I'm already a man," he said and Rupi poked him on the forehead.
"Don't be ridiculous, boy," she answered.
"I have slept with girls hence I'm a man, duh Rupi," Teho answered.
"Yet you can't date anyone for more than a few weeks so much for emotional maturity, boy." she kept nagging at him.
Teho didn't want to give Rupi the satisfaction of seeing how her words affected him. He had a deep respect for his older sister, but at the same time, he would like to fight her to get rid of the years of tension.
"I can't bring a city girl here, you would eat her alive," he joked.
"Not true at all. I care the most about you and the love life you're ruining for other gals," she smiled and opened the map.
"You make me look like such a playboy," he laughed it off.
"I know, right? In reality, you're just an ordinary dumbass." She ruffled his hair.
You're so lucky you're a pretty boy, little brother.
"First things first, you'll be with just me in the wilderness for four days," she overdramatically started her monolog.
"You'll cook for yourself and most importantly you'll carry your bag yourself. There is no mum to dance around your ass." She tugged his hair playfully.
"Ouch," he whined.
"Move it," she nudged him to make a space on the sofa for her and lay beside him, holding the map in front.
"I dunno if I'll go, maybe next time," he tried to get out of this trip.
"I said it when I was emotionally vulnerable after the breakup," he tried.
"Yeah, right. I'm not letting you off, your emotionally unstable ass is going to walk. 'Cuz I already booked the hut and got the keys, so fuck you," she gave him an eye.
"Don't be such a baby, you can do it," she pointed her fingers to the red-marked trail.
"You'll love it. We'll have to get up at 4 a.m. to catch the morning train I already paid for," she teased.
"Whaaat? You can't be serious," he protested.
"My baby brother will sleep on the train like a newborn..." she smiled.
"... then we'll do a quick shopping trip at the tourist station and we'll be on our merry way," Rupi tapped on the starting point on the map.
"No wonder you're alone," the brother said, being mean on purpose.
"No wonder, you know shit about my personal life," she shot back.
"So are you dating nuna?" Her remark heavily piqued his interest followed by.
Nobody would ever be good enough for her. I can't imagine such a terrific catch to impress me.
"We'll have to hike through this valley to this gorgeous lake..." she didn't answer on purpose.
Even though she had actually met somebody, there was no need to worry Teho with it. She knew he cared and would be nervous about it. Considering how he seemed to treat women, he'd probably hate to think about how others would treat his sisters.
"... here I would leave you to rest and make tea, 'cuz I'm such a generous person..." she finished his juice and Teho only gave her a disapproving look.
He was excited about this trip talk, even though he played hard to persuade.
"... then we have to traverse this section of stone field and here is our hut," she ended and her finger rested on the house icon.
"That's far," he let out, surprised.
"Not as far as your decency," she laughed, "Only sixteen kilometers," she said casually.
"Are you mad? How am I supposed to hike that?" he was a little scared.
"Putting one leg after another is enough," she mocked him.
"It'll be alright you'll see. We just have to pack your stuff up and I can help you carry your photography equipment if you want. I'm not that mean," she winked at him.
"You wanted a new perspective, another inspiration. Here you'd have it," she tapped on the house.
"Aaand you can 'heal' your broken heart," she teased him more.
Teho scoffed at her remarks.
"How is it being single again, huh?" Rupi couldn't let it go and he made an overly sad face for her.
"Probably the same as being with someone, month here month there, right?" she ruffled his hair the way he hated.
"Girls just don't understand me," He sighed loudly, pretending to be heartbroken, catching her caressing hand to make her stop.
"They don't understand how fast you get bored with them," Rupi said harshly.
"Yeah, that too. Like how am I supposed to stay entertained with one when there are another five gorgeous girls around the corner?" He made a wide gesture, putting one hand over his forehead making a scene.
"You just have the toughest life," she gave him an elbow to his ribs and got up, going to her room.
"Rest doll, after lunch we'll pack your bag," Rupi stood up.
"Ya! Which date is this trip planned for?" he asked.
"Tomorrow," and she disappeared behind a corner.
Teho sat upright, "What?" The only answer was loud steps on the wooden floor and the clanking of the door from her room.
"Alright," he said to himself, his heart beating loudly.
It's a dare. I knew this day would come.
"I need a cover, where the fuck are you?" Kyuri yelled and emotions moved her body.
"Ya Sehun-ah, help me goddammit!"
Teho closed his eyes and fully stretched out on the sofa.
I love being home.
...
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